Liverpool central defender Nat Phillips has reportedly remained ‘under consideration’ at Southampton this summer.
The 24-year-old was linked with a move to the South Coast earlier in the window and could still replace Jannik Vestergaard after the giant Dane joined Leicester City.
Phillips rose to prominence last season amidst adversity and the Reds are believed to be reluctant to allow the centre-back to leave on the cheap.
According to a report from The Athletic, as cited by SaintsExtra on Twitter, Southampton would be keen on a loan move for the Bolton-born ace.
Twitter:
| Liverpool defender Nat Phillips remains ‘under consideration’ by Southampton, but the club are not ‘actively pur… https://t.co/QCI9sULDt7 (@SaintsExtra)
The report claims that Liverpool would demand a fee in the region of £12-15million to sell the former Stuttgart loanee.
Last season Phillips made 17 Premier League appearances – earning an average Sofascore rating of 7.19 in the process.
READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT
Valued at £7.2million and under contract until 2023 at Anfield (Transfermarkt), allowing the no-nonsense defender to leave on loan with a view to a future fee would be beneficial to the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp currently has Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate at his disposal, making any route back into the first-team frame almost impossible to see.
Described as a ‘monster’ by Klopp last term, Phillips has proven to be ready for top-flight action and a role as the fifth choice on Merseyside may no longer satisfy the ace’s ambitions.
Furthermore, with a likely loan fee in place and an overinflated squad, Liverpool could use the money and space towards possible incomings.
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